McLaren and Honda formally agree to part ways
- Published on 12 Sep 2017 19:29
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- By: Fergal Walsh
McLaren and Honda have formally agreed to part ways at the end of the 2017 season. The future of the deal has been cast in major doubt over the last couple of weeks, and it was expected that the announcement of the divorce would be made this week.
Honda re-entered the sport in 2015 to supply McLaren with power units, with the vision of achieving the success of the late 1980's, when McLaren-Honda dominated the sport. However, three seasons later, McLaren has not yet got close to claiming a podium finish.
It is also reported that McLaren has signed a three-year deal with Renault and will take up a supply from the French manufacturer until the end of 2020, right before the next set of engine regulations will come into the frame. With Fernando Alonso previously claiming he would not stay at McLaren if they continued with Honda, it is now suggested that the Spaniard will stay on with the Woking team.
F1's bosses have been meeting recently with the hope of securing Honda in F1 for the long-term. It is therefore likely that Toro Rosso will be given a deal with Honda and Carlos Sainz will depart the Red Bull junior squad to sign for the Renault team.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (15)
Login to replymbmwe36
Posts: 533
I think this will prove to be a major mistake. But as I am not a McLaren nor an Alonso fan, I am perfectly okay with that.
Kean
Posts: 692
I agree, however not about the part of not being a McLaren/Alonso fan, but I also think this will leave McLaren chasing podiums at the most for the coming three years, and not wins so forget about winning championships. I also find it strange to switch from the fourth best PU to the third best, sure Honda might not catch up to Mercedes or Ferrari but perhaps they could catch Renault. Also, Renault have proven to be unreliable, and rumor has it Cyril Abitboul is a real pain to deal with. All this suggests to me that it is not just an underperforming PU from Honda that has led to this decision, there must be more to it such as severe differences in culture between Honda and McLaren. Given that Alonso is part of this decision, and given his history, I think this might be a jinx and I wouldn't be surprised if Honda finds the magic bullet next year. Alonsos moves in F1 is like my choices of cues at the supermarket - never stand behind me, cause you can bet that it will be the slowest moving cue.
dr002
Posts: 141
I tend to agree that there could be more to it than just an under-performing engine, and I wonder if it was all McLaren's decision, and whether Honda was happy to allow the deal to end...... I'm quietly hoping Honda has surreptitiously maneuvered McLaren into making such a decision by holding off on engine development in order to orchestrate a split in response to cultural differences. I’m sure there have been times when the way in which McLaren have handled things in the media have not accorded with Honda’s 'sensibilities', not to mention Alonso’s on track antics and criticisms.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
I think this could be a very good step: Three top teams with the same engine, (ok Renault not yet a top team). I already look forward to the close battles between Red Bull and McLaren for third or second. It might actually drive these two teams up, closer to Ferrari and Mercedes. PR and sponsor wise it is a good idea: both Red Bull won't be driving around in no man's land any longer, McLaren is back in business, and both will get much more attention, air time and with that revenue direct and indirect. What's more, the fact the engine rules are going to change in 2020 means that there is no point in trying to catch up with the current engines for Honda. McLaren would remain where they are for the coming years. Further more it will mean that the pressure on Renault to improve their engine increases as it is not just Red Bull, but also Mc Laren, and that makes any investment much more justified.
What beats me though is what's in the deal for Torro Rosso. Seems to me they got the short end of the stick.
Kean
Posts: 692
@Hombibi I read that the Toro Rosso-Honda deal is part of Dietrich Mateschitz's long term ambition to sell the team to Honda. For now Toro Rosso can only hope that Honda turns a corner. Financially it's got to be a boost for Toro Rosso.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Regrettable, but not exactly unexpected. I think it will likely turn out to be a mistake, but time will tell. Either way, they will move from one engine to an, as of now, slightly better engine, and will loose a whole lot of cash to boot. Worse, that cash might go to a direct competitor.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
McLaren didn't really have a choice... Honda has proven to be no better in 3 years, a return to podium fighting will look very good on the back of the last three years
130R
Posts: 5
It's a tough move but it will yield one interesting thing, a direct head to head between Red Bull and McLaren as the best independent chassis maker.
Karl
Posts: 10
And the winner is: RBR!
reg
Posts: 162
No choice, clearly Merc & Ferrari don't want McClaren with the same engine, so as we say in the UK....... Hobson's choice!
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Good interim choice. I suppose if Honda eventually get their act together they can always go back. However, Honda is nowhere near where it should be. I expect McLaren to do as well as Red Bull has this year.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Good riddance, can't wait for the new excuses the armchair experts will spin for Honda come next year but that isn't Mclaren's problem anymore. I am now very interested to know what sh*t Toro Rosso smoked, dat some stronk stuff Mclaren gave them to take off the Honda turds.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Probably the same you smoke daily, possum. Mind sharing some? :P
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Nah bruh am straight edge B-)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Sure are, darl, sure are.